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REV. L. S. COAN'S 



1111111141 SHBMOK 



BO Of H.B A I 



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A Century in one of the Early New England Churches. 



SERMON, 



DELIVERED IN THE 



FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 



BOOTHBAY, MAINE 



SEPT. 23, 1866. 



BY LEANDER S. COAN 



S° 



Published by Bequest of the Society. 



BOSTON: 

PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN & SON, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 
1866. 



3& 



The publication of a Sermon embodying the History of a Century in 
one of our early New England Churches, requires no apology. Hoping 
that these pages may form an acceptable additional item to New England 
Ecclesiastical History ; that they may tend to awaken in the minds of 
whoever may read them, an interest in our old Churches ; I yield to 
the request of this Parish, and accept the advice of brethren in the 
ministry, whose opinion I sought, in giving this Historical Sketch to the 
public. Though few may read it now, in after years it will be useful. 

L. S. C. 
Boothbay, October, 1866. 



\ 



V 
^ 



SERMON 



DEUTERONOMY iv. 31. 

HE WILL NOT FORSAKE THEE, NEITHER DESTROY THEE, NOR FORGET THE 
COVENANT OF THY FATHERS. 

One hundred years, on the 28th day of July last, had 
passed since Rev. John Murray assumed the pastoral charge 
of this Parish. He entered upon his work, by dedicating 
the Old Meeting House, the inside of which, at that time, 
was unfinished. His text upon that occasion was, " Come 
over into Macedonia, and help us." The frame of. the 
house was raised the year previous, on the 27th day of 
September. 

The day of dedication was a day of rejoicing. Those 
fathers had seen their children growing up in ignorance of 
religion. They were conscious that its power was dying out 
of their own hearts, as their record tells us. Often had they 
suffered from the savage cruelty of the tribes around them. 
Driven again and again from their homes, they had returned 
with a courage that always conquers. They had made vain 
appeals to the Presbytery at Boston, for supplies. Their 
only religious privileges, previous to 1763, had been when 
transient preachers had chanced this way. 

According to a tradition prevalent here, the men who 
were thirty-five and forty years old, could remember that, 
when lads, they had heard that wonderful man, George 
Whitefield, declare in the barns of their fathers the truths 



of God. We may judge of their interest in him, when we 
know that Andrew Reed followed him all the way to New- 
burvport, for the sake of listening to his words. One 
winter, this same Mr. Reed, when all the rest fled in fear 
of the savages, remained alone till they, in the spring, return- 
ed. When they wondered at his daring, the brave old man 
answered, — " What, had I not my Bible with me 1 " Of 
such metal as this, was the old church made. But of this 
period I will let the Fathers speak themselves ; for though 
dead, they yet speak in their Records, as well as in the 
Church, which remains till this day. 

Extract from the Original Sessions Record. 

" The Elders in Session voted, that a sessions book be 
purchased, and that the Clerk be appointed to record in it 
the history of the settlement of this Church, from the first 
beginning down to this time, which was done, brought in, 
and read, and is as follows : — 

EARLY HISTORY. 

" The inhabitants of this town, having long been har- 
rassed and distrest by the natural difficulties of settling a new 
country, without any considerable resources of wealth, and 
more especially by frequent wars with savages on the border, 
by which the settlement was repeatedly brokeu up, and the 
whole place laid waste ; had hardly recovered strength enough 
for the settlement of the Gospel amongst us, and therefore, 
had long been languishing under the heavy ajjliction of silent 
Sabbaths ; various preachers, 'tis true, we from time to time 
had opportunity to hear, both here and in the neighborhood ; 
and various applications were made by us to the Reverend 
Presbytery of Boston, for supplies; but all were treated 
with utter neglect ; and now no hope remained of any settle- 
ment of the ( iospel here. The people, dispirited by long 
and fruitless attempt-, sat down in inactive despondency. 
But iu the midst of this gloomy prospect, their minds were 



relieved by the arrival of Rev. John Murray, a probationer 
from Ireland, — drawn hither by repeated invitations from 
one of the principal settlers* of this place. 

" Upon his preaching to general acceptance for some time, 
the inhabitants held a meeting at the house of Mr. Beath, 
where they unanimously voted to give him a call to be the 
settled pastor of this town. A paper was subscribed, and 
put into his hand, as follows : — 

" ' We the subscribers do promise to pay to the Rev. John 
Murray the sum of Ninety Pounds Sterling, per year, as an 
encouragement to settle amongst us as our Pastor. Towns- 
end, this 22d day of December, 1763.' Beside which they 
particularly engaged to give him a lot of land, of two hun- 
dred acres ; to build him a house ; to clear and labor said lot ; 
cut and haul his firewood yearly; — and for this purpose a 
subscription was set on foot, and the Lord spirited up the 
people, so that it was quickly filled up. Now were their 
hopes very sanguine, that the long wished-for day had 
come." — Original Record, p. 8. 

But Mr. Murray was discouraged by the prospect. As yet 
they were not a town, and hence were not legally bound to 
fulfill their agreements. And so he was determined upon an 
immediate return to Ireland, and took his leave the February 
following, going to Boston. They chose a committee to follow 
him there, to prevail upon him, if possible, to remain. They 
at last extorted from him a promise that, if he ever returned 
to America, and they still vacant, and still desirous of him, 
and should renew their call, Townsend should be the place of 
his settlement. Whereupon they returned, elated at this 
much gained, while Mr. Murray proceeded to New York, 
to embark for Ireland. There he was stayed by a call from 
the Presbyterian Church in that city. While considering 
this, he received another from the Second Presbyterian Church 
in Philadelphia. Of these occurrences he sent timely infor- 

* Mr. Andrew Reed, before mentioned. 



mation to this place, and the people replied by repeated 
and vigorous renewals of their proposals. These, however, 
did not reach him, and he, supposing that he had been 
forgotten, accepted the Philadelphia call, and was settled 
there. Soon after this he received the intercepted messages, 
one of which bears date, as transcribed to the Records, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1765; another, March 11, 1765; and another 
bearing date, October 2, 1765, which is as follows : — 

An Argument for the Return of Mr. Murray. 

" To the Reverend the First Presbytery of Philadelphia, — 
the humble supplications of the inhabitants of Townsend, 
now the town of Boothbay,* humbly showeth ; that your 
petitioners dwell in a country that has long been harrassed 
by Indian wars, the inhabitants frequently driven off their 
settlements, and stript of all their worldly substance, and 
thereby, ever since their first settlement, have been unable to 
have the Gospel supported amongst us until this time ; 
by which means a wide extended country of many miles 
in extent, in which there are many towns and districts 
populous enough to demand the labors of a minister each, 
have been hitherto scattered as sheep without a shepherd ; 
whilst the aged are daily weakened in every religious impres- 
sion, iniquity abounding, the love of many waxing cold ; 
and the youth, the only hope of succeeding generations, 
the only prospect of a church in the coming age, are growing 
up awfully ignorant of God, of Christ, and of themselves ; 
and while their souls, precious as they are, are perishing for 
lack of knowledge, it is to be feared, will also be growing 
in carelessness and indifference about eternal things. Sealing 
ordinances so rarely to be had that hundreds, amongst whom 
are adults not a few; yea, whole families, root and branch, 
have never been offered to God, in Baptism. Our situation is 
so remote, our circumstances so peculiarly discouraging, that 

• They had thu*, we see, been incorporated as a town, between 17G3 and 
17Co, probably in '64. ■ 



no hope appeared of any supply for our necessities, until 
in the midst of our desolation, it pleased God to direct this 
way the Rev. Mr. John Murray, whom we unanimously 
called to take the pastoral care of our souls ; and although he 
could not then accept our call, yet he promised that if he 
ever settled in America he would be our minister. Yet, 
notwithstanding this promise, of which we find you were 
not ignorant, you have taken him away, and set him over 
another congregation. Our many letters to him we deemed 
sufficient to establish what we have before transacted ; but by 
what means they never reached him we are left to guess. 
On all which accounts, we think our expectations unjustly 
disappointed, and ourselves greatly injured, and we can but 
judge that we have good ground to plead our right to said 
Mr. Murray to be our minister, in virtue of that promise, 
which, in justice to ourselves, we can never give up. ' We 
therefore beg that your wisdoms would be pleased to consider 
our case, and as Judges in the Church of Christ, determine 
what is justice in it, and grant us the redress which is our 
due. Boothbay, October 2, 1765." Signed by upwards of 
sixty heads of families. 

This argument met the reception which we might reason- 
ably expect from the body of men that had performed this 
injustice. But this tribunal was not the ultimate, and from it 
the petitioners appealed to the New York and Philadelphia 
Synod — the higher Ecclesiastical Court. Meanwhile Mr. 
Murray came to Boston, on his way to Ireland ; ill health 
detained him, and the Commissioners from this place met 
and treated with him there. 

In their petition of appeal to the Synod, they again stated 
their former arguments, and added another item of petition, 
for the following reasons : — Confident that their petition 
must prevail, they considered * * * "the next busi- 
ness was to provide for the most easy and convenient mode 
of settling Mr. Murray, at Boothbay," * * * also " con- 
sidering that, as Mr. Murray belonged to no body of min- 



8 

isters in this Province, and that they are surrounded only 
by such as are of the Independent form, it might be very 
troublesome and expensive to said town to bring together 
as many Presbyterian ministers, in connection with him, as 
might make a Presbytery, capable of solemnizing his set- 
tlement here ; considering also that, as the solemnities of 
ordination can be performed but once to the same man 
among Presbyterians; that installment being nothing else 
than the bargain or covenant between minister and people, 
whereby they propose and he accepts — he takes the charge 
and they engage submission ; therefore, it is very consistent 
with reason, and the nature of things, and very agreeable 
to the Presbyterian discipline, to hold that covenant fully 
confirmed without those formalities ; and understanding that 
it is the frequent practice of the Presbyteries and Synods 
in the Southern Provinces, to ordain ministers at large, and 
settle them where ever Providence may call ; yea, that this 
is now the case with ministers even in the cities of New 
York and Philadelphia, — for all these reasons the said Com- 
missioners did transmit, with these papers, a petition to this 
purpose : — 

" ' To the Fii'st Presbytery and their Synod,' " repeating 
former petition and argument, adding, " ' that Avhen Mr. 
Murray is removed from Philadelphia, it will please you to 
constitute him our minister at once ; that he may be trans- 
ported to his charge of this town without any formal install- 
ment ; and your petitioners as in duty bouud will ever pray. 
' Signed by 

' Andrew Keed, 

' Andrew McFarland, 

'March 16, 1766. 'Commissioners.'" 

This petition prevailed, and Mr. Murray was released 
fully, freely, and in the form desired, lie arrived here, and 
at once assumed his charge ; his first public act being the 
dedication of the meeting-house, July 28, 1766. According 



9 

to the arguments of the petitioners, and the usages admitted 
by the Synod, his official connection with this Parish began 
then. And that day, July 28th, is the proper anniversary 
day of this Church — for an element of the Presbyterian 
Church was formally acknowledged by such an assumption. 
If Mr. Murray ever occupied the pastorate here, the begin- 
ning was at that time. 

The Great Revival. 

During the ensuing autumn and winter, followed the 
Great Revival, which left its mark upon the community, 
giving it its peculiar susceptibility to religious influence. 
The experiences of those men in those days could not 
but have a shaping influence. Whether their descendants 
are in the church of their father's choice, or are in others 
that have long since appeared, they cannot escape from the 
wholesome bent of those early days. The account of those 
seasons in the book of Records, too long for quotation here, 
reminds one of the Apostolic days, when the Holy Ghost 
was breathed upon men. And the First Church here has 
a rich legacy in being the natural heir, the lineal descendant 
of the church, then formed. 

Immediately upon his arrival here, Mr. Murray proceeded 
to gathering and recognizing the individual members of the 
Presbyterian Church, who were living here. Having ascer- 
tained who held certificates of membership, as they had been 
living here for years without oversight, he proceeded to a 
sort of informal process of discipline, to ascertain if any 
were improper subjects to receive the Sacrament. Accord- 
ingly on the 10th day of March following, he publicly 
announced the names of the Presbyterians, solemnly adjur- 
ing the whole congregation, if they knew of any reason why 
these were not entitled to the sacred rites of the church, if 
they would not be gnilty of the blood of souls, to declare 
the same. This was repeated three Sabbaths in succession. 
Then upon the last, and fifth Sabbath of March, no charges 



10 

having been brought against any of them, he announced that 
in two weeks the Communion would be observed. Accord- 
ingly on the second Sabbath in April, the 13th day, — they 
celebrated for the first time, the sublime service of the 
Lord's Supper. The names of those persons are inserted in 
the Appendix. They now had their pastor, but were with- 
out the other proper church officers. 

Ordination of Church Officers. 

On the 20th day of the September following, the Ruling 
Elders and Deacons* were ordained by Mr. Murray. The 
day of their ordination was Wednesday. The scene, as de- 
scribed by the clerk, was very impressive. They took seats 
in the broad aisle. The church was crowded by a solemn 
audience. The candidates were then publicly examined, 
charged ; the congregation called to look upon them ; they 
were then called to stand forth, and were caused solemnly to 
declare, before God, that they would faithfully fulfill the duties 
of their office. 

The town was divided into districts, and two of these were 
appointed to each district, of which they, under the Pastor, 
were to have oversight. Of the whole, the Pastor had a gen- 
eral supervision. And thus organized, this baud of deter- 
mined and praying men began not only the battle with sin 
in their own hearts, but in the community. Then truly had 
the people a mind to work. They appreciated, as you never 
can, the privileges they thus came to enjoy. No more can 
we understand what was their intense delight, than we who 
every day enjoy home, with food and clothing sufficient, can 
appreciate the joy of the wrecked sailor, when after days alone 

• William Moore, Robert Murray, John Beath, N"< lumiah Ilarrondon, 
were Ruling Elder*. I ra '■ Davis, Samuel Adams, Ephraim McFarland 
Deacons. Of this body, Mr. Murray was Moderator, and John I'm at h 
ribe. It is probably to him that we are indebted for so elear an 
account of their proceedings at that time and before; a record that 
would he an honor to the pen of any man, in any age. 



11 

on the raft, lie is clothed and sits down to a proper repast. 
Truly the people had a mind to work for God, and the walls 
of Zion went up. Hand to hand they labored, foot to foot 
they went. In the dreary past they stood against their savage 
foe with a rifle in one hand, a spade in the other, with the 
Bible and prayer in their hearts. And so God blessed their 
labors. 

Present State of the Record. 

The record of the church up to March 12, 1770, is full and 
complete. From that time to the year 1798, we have nothing 
except the tabular record of admissions, and baptism of infants, 
attached to which are dates, showing that through this period 
ordinances were occasionally if not constantly enjoyed. ^ 

The record that is preserved goes over but five years of 
Mr. Murray's administration. So we have no official state- 
ment of the time when his labors ceased here. But it is 
known that he left here during the first part of the war of '76. 
In the town treasurer's record I find that there was money 
paid to Eev. Mr. Murray, in 1777. After that year no such 
minute appears. In the year 1777, in the month of Septem- 
ber, Mr. Murray succeeded in preventing a menaced attack 
upon the settlement at the Harbor, by Commodore Collyer of 
the British frigate Kainbow, forty-four guns. We learn from 
Collyer's published account of his visit to these waters that Mr. 
Murray sent notes to him, and also had interviews with the 
commander. Thus we see that Mr. Murray's stay here as 
pastor, was a little less than twelve years. From this place 
he removed to Newburyport. 

Subsequent History of the First Pastor. 

lie always manifested a lively interest in this place, and 
came hither every four or five years to baptize the children 
born after his regular labors ceased. The last sermon that 
he preached here was on the occasion of the funeral of Miss 
Nancy Flood, a young lady who had been drowned. The 



12 

funeral was from the house of Capt. John Reed. He was 
very much moved by the occasion. He was impressed that 
he would never see them again ; said he, " I must preach my 
own funeral sermon." He solemnly warned them all. It 
was indeed his last discourse here. He died in Newbury port, 
March 13, 17it-J, aged fifty-one. This would show him to 
have been twenty -one years old when he first came to this 
country, twenty-four when he was settled, and to have lived 
sixteen years in Newburyport, where he was buried. Sev- 
enty-three years ago that faithful servant went to his reward. 
Though dead he yet speaketh. This pulpit, yes, every pulpit 
in town, bears witness to the seed that he cast into the minds 
and hearts of the people. 

Personal Appearance and Characteristics. 

Mr. Murray was of ordinary height, five feet six or seven 
inches, exceedingly broad across the shoulders and deep 
through the chest. ] le was of a clear florid complexion, in- 
clined to corpulency in later years. His voice was of the 
heavy, massive cast, and clear as a trumpet. 

He possessed the power to fascinate the most cultivated 
audiences, as well as to hold those hardy frontiersmen bound 
by the spell of his eloquence. And it was the Master's 
call of duty, " Come over into Macedonia and help us," 
that took him from the first churches of the country to labor 
in these then wulds. Long ago that eloquent voice was 
hushed in the grave, and his faithful helpers are all, all 
slumbering here in this old burial yard. The grey moss 
grows now over their slanting tombstones. Their children 
and their children's children also. But their loved pastor 
is not here. He rests near Whitefield, 1 know not how 
near, but they should be side by side. 

From Mr. Murray to Father Sawyer. 
In the interim between the close of -Mr. Murray's pastorate 
and the beginning of Mr. SaWYKR'8, as the record is gone, 



13 

through that period, we have to depend entirely upon tradi- 
tion. I can learn of only two laborers, Mr. Gould, an uncle 
of Mr. Gould who preceded Eev. Jonathan Adams, labored 
about six mouths. Of the results of that period we have no 
account. Mr. Chapin also preached here about five years. 
There were besides, other occasional laborers, but who they 
were I have not learned. The only clue to this period is the 
table of baptisms, the dates of which show that the ordinances 
were occasionally, at least, observed. 

mr. sawyer's administration. 

At a legal town meeting, Nov. 6, 1797, it was voted unan- 
imously to give Eev. John Sawyer a call to settle here in the 
ministry. Nov. 21st, the church, by their committee, also 
gave him a call. He came to town with his family the fol- 
lowing March. He found the church in a disordered state, 
from having been so long without a settled pastor. It was 
still professedly Presbyterian, but as there was no Presbytery 
with which they could unite, it was thought advisable to form 
a new and Congregational church, — the members of the old, 
uniting with their pastor in calling the assistance of the Lin- 
coln Association for this purpose. Thus they became nom- 
inally what they had ever been in fact. They had always 
been independent in their action. No Presbytery or Synod 
ever had any jurisdiction over them. They were the same as 
any independent church joining an Association. 

Mr. Sawyer preached his last discourse, Oct. 13, 1805, 
remaining here seven years. He began his labors in the most 
difficult period in our history. A difference arose between 
pastor and church, upon the question whether the women 
should be present when candidates were to be examined for 
admission. The pastor contending for, the church, at least a 
majority, against. There were also troubles in the matter of 
discipline. Failing to bring the church to his position, he 
also failed to prevail upon them to call a mutual council. 
This left him only the course of calling an ex parte council, 



14 

which he did. This council sustained him, and subsequently 
the church passed a unanimous vote of concurrence there- 
with. 

From this place Father Sawyer went into the Penobscot 
valley as a missionary. I need not repeat that he was one of 
the original founders of the Theological Seminary at Bangor. 
He lived to see this institution a flourishing one, far exceeding 
in importance and results even his most sanguine hopes when 
he took initial steps toward instructing young men who 
proposed to enter the ministry. The town of Garland, in 
Penobscot County, was the place of his residence for many of 
the last years of his life. And there he was buried.* He 
lived till he was nearly one hundred and four years of age. 

Jabez Pond Fisher was the next settled pastor. He was 
with the people eight years. Nothing of especial interest 
marks this period. lie was the last pastor in the first half 
century. 

Mr. Weston's Ministry. 
The beginning of the second half century was marked, like 
the first, by a revival of great power. Rev. Mr. Weston, who 
is still living, was pastor. His was the longest pastorate, ex- 

* The home of the writer of this account was in the same town, and 
some reminiscences of that remarkable man may be interesting, and 
perhaps not out of place in this connection. Any one who passed his 
house often, would see him sitting by the window reading, reading, and 
always the Bible. ' Every year made it dearer,' was what he used to 
say. At the advanced age of one hundred, he could readily read ordi- 
nary print without glasses. As long ago as the writer can remember, 
it was the same old man ; the same tremor in his voice, the same silvery 
white hair, of fourscore years. Little did he think, when twenty-five 
years ago he placed his hand on a little head in my father's house, and 
with trembling voice pronounced his blessing, that destiny would lead 
the child in the place of the old man's footsteps here. The impression 
that his voice and manner, his whole person, left upon one childish fancy 
will (faced. The trembling of his withered hand over the Word 

of Grod, the trembling of his voice as he declared its truths, seemed like 
warnings from the spirit world. 



15 

cept Mr. Murray's, and was equal to that in length, if not in 
important results. Mr. Weston found the church in a very 
disheartening condition. Again iniquity abounded, and the 
love of many waxed cold. It is forty-nine years, lacking two 
days, since Mr. Weston preached his first sermon here, and 
this afternoon he will probably preach his last. Some of you, 
those who can count your three-score, can remember the sol- 
emn scenes in the old meeting-house when you were children. 
Perhaps some of you were then first conscious of sin. But 
the most of those who then found the priceless pearl, have 
gone where it glitters in the Sun of Righteousness, while 
their bodies sleep among the fathers and mothers of the first 
half century, beneath grass-grown mounds. What a harvest 
has the great reaper gathered ! How many of Mr. Weston's 
stars have gone before him, and are now waiting to welcome 
him and lead him to the Lamb of God, saying, " Behold thy 
servant, Lord, who led us to thee on earth ; we now lead 
him to thee in heaven." As Mr. Murray was the father of 
the first fifty years, Mr. Weston was of the last. 

Charles L. CooJc was called Aug. 10, 1830, ordained Oct. 
6th, dismissed and deposed Oct. 31, 1832. This strange man 
has gone to his reward. It is said, whatever was bis life, that 
he died a good man. Since he has gone to God's tribunal, it 
is useless to bring him again before man's. 

Rev. Nathaniel Chapman was next a supply ; he was 
called, but refused the call. 

For some time Henry A. Merrill was a supply. 

Rev. David Cushman was installed in January, 1838. Mr. 
Cushman's labors extended over a period of about five years. 
Another of the greatest revivals that the town has ever wit- 
nessed was enjoyed by this church in 1840, beginning near 
the close of the second year of his ministry. Full accounts 



16 

of this work were published in the * Christian Mirror ' that 
same year, and the letters are copied into the records, where 
any one who desires can read them. 

Rev. Mr. Tobey was the next in order, and one of the ablest 
preachers that was ever in the place. He too has ceased from 
his labors, and gone where the weary are at rest, — where a 
prying inquisitiveness will not trouble itself because he is shut 
up in contemplation of eternal truth. 

Rev. Mr. Gould was the next supply, coming in June, 
1848, and laboring about three years. Mr. Gould is still 
living, and is supplying the church in Albany, in this State. 
It was during his labors that the Second Congregational church 
was formed. Its members, and those of the old, look back 
to a common source, together sharing the honor of the past. 

Following Mr. Gould, Rev. Jonathan Adams began his 
labors in 1852. The last minute in his handwriting bears 
date 1858. The last nine months of his engagement were 
filled by Rev. Jonathan E. Adams, his son, just then gradu- 
ated from Bangor. 

This aged servant of God has also gone to receive his 
crown. His life and labors are so fresh in your memories, 
and obituaries of his life have so recently been published, that 
I will not attempt to epitomize what even those of you who 
are young know better than myself. 

The next and last preacher, except the present, was Rev. 
Horace TooihaJcer. He remained three years, removing then 
to New Sharon, where he is at present. 

The whole number of pastors, acting and settled, has been 
eleven. Average Length of service, six years and one month. 
Whole number of settled pastors, five. Average length of 
settlement, eight years and seven mouths. 



17 

There have been about fifty years of settled ministry, about 
fifty years of stated and transient supply, about ten years of 
which, there was no supply. 

There have been in all between six and seven hundred 
members in the two churches. And many removing from 
here have subsequently made profession in other places. 

Thus we have an epitome of the history of a century in one 
of the oldest churches in this State. I have dwelt specially 
upon its early history, as comparatively little is known of 
those facts in this generation. For many reasons, so patent to 
all that we need not give them here, it is fitting to revive these 
forgotten incidents. 

There are some points of interest to every one who thought- 
fully considers this history, that it may be well to notice in 
closing. 

1. The first impression one receives in reading those early 
accounts, is of the united ability and piety of those men. The 
piety that kept them faithful to the interests of our holy re- 
ligion was eminent, and is seen in their lives as well as the 
principles which they maintained. Their wisdom, which 
was unusual, was equal to their piety. They understood 
the importance of a right beginning ; and had the foresight 
which enabled them to see the bearing which their deeds 
would have upon coming time. Many early settlers only 
looked to present results; they took into account future as 
well. They were not only able men, but they were educated 
also. The account of those times and deeds is not only 
graphic, but it is portrayed with such brevity, elegance, and 
fitness, that one is not hazardous in affirming that it cannot 
be excelled. Where they were educated I do not know, 
but sure we may be it was somewhere. And it is a shame, and 
a loss to community, that the evidences of this are hidden in 
the torn records of those days, far gone, fast going towards 
decay, and liable to entire destruction. Every student of New 
England history would be interested in those men, aside from 



. 18 

the interests of religious history. It goes to show the charac- 
ter of the early settlers of New England. We do not need 
to be told that the blood of the family of Mary, Queen of 
Scots, was among those families, to know that there was royal 
manhood there. Nature and God gave them a better title to 
nobility. 

2. We to-day can partially if not fully estimate the import- 
ance of the work which they accomplished. Heaven and 
eternity alone can fully develope their importance and influ- 
ence. How many have already gone up higher, how many 
shall yet go, none of us can know ; but we know there 
are already many who, under God, trace their salvation to 
them. 

But there are results that we can see, effects that we can 
estimate — that are evident to any observer. 

The religious susceptibility of this community, the fact that 
a large part of the people believe in the pure and undefiled 
religion of the Bible, is traceable directly to the founders of 
the First Church. What if they had been infidels, — Mould 
religion and morality have been characteristics of their de- 
scendants ? 

Not only the old church which still exists has been influ- 
enced by them. Every pulpit in the place is a witness to 
their faithfulness and the beneficial results of the principles 
which they held. Why is it that pulpits, churches, school- 
houses, and general sobriety and intelligence characterize the 
community, rather than breweries, dancing halls, grog shops, 
and ignorant drunkenness ? Another community of five 
thousand inhabitants, — the number inhabiting what was 
Townsend, — cannot be found, from New York to Eastport, 
so free from these evils to which I have referred, as is the 
section in which the Congregationalist Church for years was 
the only means which God used for good. The foundations 
of religion in this community were then laid. 

It is fitting in view of these facts, to remark of the spirit 
that should exist between the different religious orders in this 



19 

place. The living, vital members, not only of our church, 
but every other church in the community, learned to pray 
from fathers and mothers whose home was in the old church. 
This should be a bond of brotherhood between you all. There 
is work enough for all to do, opportunities sufficient for each 
to bid all a hearty " God speed you." And while the blood 
of those fathers flows in the veins of praying men, they ought 
so to live that it might be said of them, " Behold, how good 
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." 
And the most and best, I believe, sincerely do. And mem- 
bers of sister churches must be willing that we, who are in 
sympathy with the principles and doctrines of the old church, 
shall be allowed to point to the honor which we inherit, and 
not consider that we would cast any reflections upon the new 
homes in Christ where they choose to worship. 

3. A debt of gratitude, to the latest generation, will be due 
from every believer in Christ, to God and those noble men. 
Thanks we will to-day give Him whose purpose was to rear 
and keep the First Church even until this day ; thanks that 
His blessing has been with it. Is not God's providence with 
it ? Had it been " Babel," as a sectarian fanatic once declared, 
it would have " come down," but being Zion, and built upon 
Christ, it has stood, and now begins with increasing strength, 
its second century. 

4. While the whole community, all religious orders here, 
are blessed by the good results of the principles, polity and 
deeds of those early men, it remains to those who are faithful 
to the same, to be the special recipients of their rich legacy. 
And I can but believe that if they could speak to-day, 
they would with special delight give honor to those of 
their children who are faithful to their doctrines as well as 
their deeds, which time has proved so beneficial. The influ- 
ence of Puritan Congregational principles is not confined 
to this community. What is true here is true in the whole 
country. The form of Government, in which every American 
has a laudable, patriotic pride, is the gift which independ- 



20 

ent churches gave the country. "When the early fathers 
saw how well the democratic principle, that the majority 
should rule, worked in ecclesiastical affairs, they said this is 
best for civil government also. And so they formed towns, 
counties, States, and a Union on the same independent prin- 
ciples that they had formed their Congregational churches. 
The early churches of New England, of which this was 
one, are admitted by all historians to have been the mothers 
of New England liberty and New England education. Every 
church was a Christian republic, and the result was that our 
nation, when it was born, became a Republic also. We who 
hold still to the same principles in our religious government 
that we do in civil, who hold to the same that those fathers 
did, ought not to lose sight of this great fact, and it is proper 
to make the most of it. Let us not be slow to claim these 
principles that God has so signally blessed. If others, who 
reap common benefits with us, are ready to sacrifice their con- 
trol of church affairs and choice of preachers, let us not sur- 
render the independency of church government. The Saviour 
is our only Bishop, and the Bible our only Discipline. 

These principles, doctrines then, are the special legacy of 
the fathers to us as a church. Had they and others held dif- 
ferently, not only this place but America would have been 
different. It is a legacy in which we are honored. We will 
cast no reflections upon other churches, — if you choose to 
forsake these principles it is your privilege. We will give 
you all honor for the good you have done, and it is much, 
and if you worship Christ will cordially greet you as 
brethren; but while we do this you must not chide us that, 
in view of God's blessing upon our own Christian home, 
and what it has accomplished, we give it the first place in 
our hearts. 

5. Are there not special duties that devolve upon the pos- 
sessors of this inheritance? 

It is our manifest duty to accept the teachings of God in 
his providence, lie has in so marked a manner set his seal 



21 

of approval upon the faith and deeds of those early men, that 
we ought to emulate their example. 

What was their strength ? They believed in God. They 
also believed in Christ. They believed that man needs 
a Saviour, and that he will perish without .Him. They 
believed the plain teachings of the Bible, and twisted not 
its words to suit the whims of fancy or error. They 
were inclined to expunge the seventh chapter of no book 
from the Bible. That book was the Word of God to 
them. They believed that God is still somewhat interested 
in the course of affairs in this world. They believed that God 
has a special cause, and that he will carry it forward to its 
fulfillment. They were ready to trust him, and what was 
equally important, they were ready to obey as well as trust. 
They worked. Their idea of God's providence kindled an 
active faith that prompted to active obedience. They believed 
in God's providence, but not in man's improvidence, either in 
spiritual or temporal affairs. The result we see. And our 
duty is manifest. To follow in their faith, and, as they fol- 
lowed Christ, in their footsteps. Emulate their lively faith 
and zeal. Be in earnest not only that the real work of grace 
shall be in our hearts, but also in the hearts of those around 
us, relying ever upon the Holy Ghost. They were not afraid 
to use that broad Bible term, nor did they fail to believe im- 
plicitly in Him, as the third person, who, with the Father and 
the Son, was their one God. 

What changes have transpired since then ! If they 
were permitted to return and journey from here to New 
York, think you they would not conclude they had, by mis- 
take, visited the wrong world ? It is in everything, except 
the sky, sea, and land, another one. Where there were 
then log cabins, in and around which was a hard struggle for 
daily bread, they would find what they would have deemed 
princely affluence, but which is now within the reach of every 
industrious man. They would ask with surprise, " Where 
are the savages ? " 



22 

Instead of a little band of Colonies on the Atlantic coast, 
struggling for existence against England and the natives, 
they would find a nation of which England stands in fear, 
while she courts us as an ally. They might journey from 
Maine to the Golden Gate, from the Great Lakes to the 
Gulf, and hear their grandchildren say — "My country!" 
liow would the thunder of the rattling train startle them, and 
how the shrill scream surprise ! On the sunset side of our 
laud, they would find gold, as rich and yellow as the rays of 
the sun upon mountain and stream at sunset. They would 
find oil flowing from the very earth to light their homes and 
lubricate the machinery of countless and mysterious indus- 
tries. And from that same Golden Gate, they could flash to 
their old homes, in a moment's time, the strange surprise 
that would thrill them. Yea, more; sitting there, on the ex- 
treme verge of the New World's civilization — which only 
stops there because of no more wilds to conquer, and sits down 
in peace to adorn and enrich itself with gold that has been 
torn from Nature's granite fastnesses — there they could read 
of an evening the account of events that transpired in the 
heart of Europe two days before ; events that shook the 
Papal throne they had learned to hate, now tottering in 
insecurity, beneath the imbecile relic of an age gone by. 
And all this would journey to them there, over the vine- 
clad hills of France, down through the historic Channel, 
over the Nation of the Georges, down and on, swift as 
thought itself, beneath the great sea, speeding among its 
unseen wonders ; up again upon our granite headlands, on 
over the great Republic, to stand, tamed and unpanting, 
patiently upon the printed page, telling its strange tale to 
those wondering eyes. 

How would the sight of countless churches and colleges 
gladden them ! Harvard and the Old South, have been 
fruitful mothers. They would find that other Pilgrims 
than the first, arc now at Plymouth Rock. They would 
fiud the Bible revered, the cause of Christ held sacred, and 



23 

Liberty loved, as they have never before been in any land 
beneath the sun — though our devotion thereto is far short of 
what it should be. And thanks they would give, that God 
has made his cause keep pace with this unparalleled growth 
of a nation. No other has ever accomplished as much of 
every desirable good in eight hundred and ninety years as 
we in eighty-nine. God has some purpose in this ; it is not 
chance that His cause has not fallen behind in this century's 
march down through the ages. No, it is not chance, nor even 
man's wisdom. Do you think your place and duty small ? 
The whole is made up of parts. A nation's honor depends 
upon the honor of individuals. Be a faithful, liberty-loving 
citizen of this our land — be a faithful, praying member of 
Christ's true Church — and to be an American, is greater 
than to have been a Roman citizen. ' 

The blessings which have come to us, I firmly believe, 
have come because our nation's early fathers believed in God, 
and builded upon that foundation which is Eternal Truth — 
God, Christ, with power to pardon and punish ; the Holy 
Ghost ; these three, ever One God, — if these are not the 
Truth, there is no Truth. For if there is no God, and no 
revelation, Death is Death, and the grave is worse than a 
Hell. 

We are just stepping upon the borders of our second 
century. When in one hundred years from now, they look 
back, what shall they have to record of us ? Will we have 
been worthy of the past, equal to the future ? Not one who 
is here to-day, will in this house celebrate the second centen- 
nial anniversary. More than another burial-yard will be 
full, and the moss will be growing over the marble dates of 
1866, '67, '68, and through to 1966. Somewhere yours 
will be ; and on that day they will visit this old yard, to 
find here, graves two and three hundred years old, — there, 
those of a hundred years, — and your names will catch the 
eye of the curious, and none of them will ever have seen 
you. 



24 

Mothers, fathers, and children, alike, will all have gone 
down in the harvest of death. All the while our hearts, — 

"Like muffled drums are beating 
Funeral marches to the grave." 

O, the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, that brings 
Life and Immortality to Light, in the face of Him who 
" lifted up His hands at Bethany, and blessed them ! " Oh, 
Thou risen Redeemer of dying men, we will worship Thee 
with great joy. 



APPENDIX. 

EXTRACT FROM MR. MURRAY'S JOURNAL. 

Account of Pastoral Labor. 

"Alas! alas! What shall I say? I now fear the success of my 
ministry more than ever. Make Thy strength perfect in my weak- 
ness. Oh, pour out Thy Spirit upon these poor families, that they 
may not forget the promises this day made in Thy sight, — that Thy 
worship shall be daily, morning and evening, maintained in their 
houses, — and they shall never rest until they have received Christ 
into their hearts. A dismal prospect truly! All prayerless — all 
ignorant of God and themselves — all determined to cherish their 
hopes, — though I have found but two who can rationally profess any 
experience of the power of religion. Some of the English Church, — 
some separatists, — most of them nothing at all. Arise, O Lord, or 
this people perish! O, show Thy salvation to them, revive thine own 
work, or we are an undone people ! " 

After another week he writes : " Now this week's visits are 
finished. What have I done? Have I been faithful? O, if so, in 
any measure, praise my Rock, my Strength ! All have promised to 
be in earnest about salvation. O Lord, I commit the whole to Thee. 
Breathe on my poor, feeble attempts, — grant success, 'tis all of Thee. 
O come among this blind, hardened, perishing people. What tri- 
umphs would grace gain, if such sinners were brought home. Every 
house prayerless, save one — every heart as adamant. O Lord, for 
a life-giving word ! " 

Again, and later: "Some comfort to-day — blessed be God. 
Three prayerful families ; four professors ; two communicants ; — but 
false hopes have slain their thousands. Woful is the security of 
tig-leaves. Very hard and painful work to bring any to conviction 
of duty, of sin, or danger. Prayerless, yet self-condemned. Christ- 
less, confessedly, yet easy and secure. Ignorant, and pleading that 
as righteousness. I have had sad views of ignorance and careless- 
ness in every house. Youth wrapt in slumber, and old age saying 
by practice, ' sleep on ' — conscience in a corner inaccessible. What 






.-lull 1 s&) ■ [nveterate habits of vice, and no remorse. It gives me 
some comfort that I have one praying family, and one humble pro- 
fessor at the head of it; and in another, one s.timck off from false 

hopes, and under conviction. Lord, fasten it, and increase the 
number. Amen. Amen." 

This was written just previous to the great revival. The foil 
names show the sheaves which that band of faithful men gathered : 



Admitted to the Chwch by Profession in the First Tears of 

Mr. Mn, -rail's Ministry. 



Andrew McFarlaad. 
David Reed. 
Thomas Boyd. 
George Boyd. 
John MeCobb. 
Thomas Tully. 
William Burns. 
James Hilton. 
Nathaniel Tallin. 
Nehemiah Ilarrendon. 
David Decker. 
Enoch Avery. 
John [ngraham. 
William Reed. 
Patrick McKown. 
John Lcishman. 
Robert Given. 

■ kiab Bgleton. 
Jacob ( rri ly. 
Samuel Waters. 
Thomas Ka nm dy. 
James Clark. 



WOMEX. 

Margaret Maguire. 
Elizabeth < iilmore. 
Mar) Winslow. 
Sarah Boyd. 
Mary Allen. 

Margaret Boyd. 
Mar gar i t Bi 
Hannah Bums, 
Marianne Fullerton. 

Mary Boyd. 
Lydia Rawlins. 
Martha Day. 
Mary Mi Cuidy. 
Maitlia Harrendon. 
Sarah Tibbi - t>. 

Mary Caldwell. 

.1 i';i' Ri i (I. 
Margaret McFaddi n. 
Jane Montgomery. 



Original Membt r /.'• L< tier. 



Robert Mur 
John B 

[c( 
Samuel Adams. 
Samuel Pit 
John I 

William Mi 
William Fullerton. 
William McCulloch. 
John Murray. 

John Wheeler. 

WOMEN. 

'.'■• (1. 
lobb. 



Sarah Rei d. 

ull( rton . 

Sarah Dai 
Elizabi 

ivis. 
M trtha Wiley. 
Jane Moore. 

Jam t Fullerton. 

J mi'i McCulloch. 
Elizabeth Bi ath. 
Ha Reed. 

M n \ Reed. 
Elizabeth Pierce. 
Mary McKown. 
Hannah Marshall. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



013 995 472 5 



